Eliburn Resevoir is being eyed by keen anglers awaiting end of lockdown

Social media has been buzzing this week as people with time on their hands attempt to broaden their fishing horizons and prepare for the lifting of the current lockdown, writes Nigel Duncan.

Eliburn Reservoir in Livingston has been named as a potential course fishing venue by anglers from as far afield as Glasgow and it is home to a range of species including big carp at more than 20lbs, tench, bream, roach, perch, ide, pike, barbel and rudd.

The worldwide pandemic has forced the closure of the three-acre fishery near the Houston Road but a new price structure will operate when Eliburn reopens after restrictions are lifted.

It will cost anglers aged over 16 £7 to fish the water for a day, a rise of £2 from the previous day ticket price which has remained static for some time. Junior anglers will pay £2 but they can fish free with a paying adult.

Jason Biggin, secretary of West Lothian Coarse Anglers (WLCA), the not-for-profit club who run the fishery, explained that the price increase will be used to help control weed and to aid the redevelopment of an inlet at one end of the fishery. West Lothian Council are assisting here.

Anglers, when the water re-opens, will be able to make their first cast at 8am and closing times vary between 7pm in early summer and 9pm at the height of summer. Roughly, it is always one hour before sunset.

Eliburn is near Livingston Community Football Club, not to be confused with Livingston FC who play in Scotland’s top football league. It has its own dedicated car park for anglers. The postcode is EH54 7EE.

The three-acre water has a number of angling platforms and is fed by the Nell Burn and is tucked between private housing estates in Livingston.

It is surrounded by a woodland path which is popular with dog walkers area. Eliburn, formerly known as Deans, is only 2.5km from Livingston town centre, but it is not the easiest place to find, even with a satellite navigation.